Control device



CONTROL DEVICE April 2l, 1936. H. A. MAN-rz Filed Oct @figg Patented Apr.ry 2l,y 19x36 V l UNITED STATES PATENT' 'ori-"ici:y

Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin `v Appiication october z, 193i, serial No. 566,395.; rclame (ci. 15a-117.1)V

My invention relates to heating devices. andy wherein is disclosed a single, exemplaryembodiparticularlyto control means for controlling the mentof the invention, with' the understanding, iiowof, and igniting of the fuelfor, such heating however, that such changes may be made therein devices. I. l as fall within the scoper of the appended claims 5 In heating appliances, such as gas heaters, it without departing from the spirit of theinven- 5 is very desirable that gas issuing from the burnerv tion. f y be ignited as soon as it begins to flow, other- In said drawingz` 1 I wise a considerable volume of gas may ilow from Figure l is a schematic representation of the thevburner and a severe explosion occur when the various parts of my control system in their vrela-- gas is ignited. If ignition by the ignition device tive positions, together with the connections em'- 10 does not occur gas may'collectin such quantities ployed for conducting fuel to and from the varie as to result in a disastrous explosion by ignition ous devices. from vsome outside source or, if no ignition occurs, Figure 2 is an enlarged view partly in section then asphyxiation of anyonek in the room where and partly in elevation of the pilot burner, the

the heater is located. bleeder burnerand a portion of the heater burner l5 I have conceived of a control means which will vshown in Figure 1; and o prevent the flow of gas to the burner unless the Figure 3 lsan enlarged view in vertical section ignition device is in operation. My control device of the valve mechanism and conduits shown in preferably employs a bleeder mechanism for conconnection with the pilot burner in Figure 1.

trolling the flow of gas to the burner and a feature The embodiment of the inventionr shown and 20 of my invention is that the gas issuing from the described is'particularly suitable for use with gas bleeder system is burned in a position where the heaters, but it is quite apparent that the system burning gas assists the ignition system. 'f Another may be used or modified for use with other fuelsv featurey of my invention is that the gas from the and in other heating and control systems.

'ignition system and from the bleeder system is Referring now to the drawing for a more corn- 25 burned at a location wherel the heating'effect is plete disclosure of this invention there is shown usefullyemployed. Still another feature of my .at I0 a conduit or manifold for supplying gasto invention is that thev bleeder flame burnsonly thesystem including the heater burners II and when theheater is not in operation and therefore l la. the bleeder-burner conduit I2 and the Vpilot is of assistance to the ignition system at a time burners I3 and I3`a. The flow of gas into the 30' when it is most useful. manifold III is controlled by a manually operable An object of my invention is to provide a convalve Il.' i l trol system for controlling the flow and ignition The inlet chamber I6 of a diaphragm valve I1 of fluid fuel for a heating system. is connected to the manifold I0 and an loutlet More particularly it is an objectoof my invenchamber I8 of the valve I1 is connected by means 35 tion to provide a control system which will preof the' cbnduit- I9 to the valves 2I and 2Ia of vent the flow of gas into and from the burner lof burners i I and'l la, respectively. I a heating system unless an ignition device isvin The wall 22 in `the diaphragm valve body 23 operation. between the inlet and outlet chambersis provided 40 Another object of my invention is to provide, in with a circular opening 24 and a valve 26 is adapt- 40 a system utilizing a bleeder system.' means for ed'to close the opening. l l burning al1 of the fuel used for ignition and bleed- A diaphragm housing 21 comprised of two shaling purposes at one point. l low, cooperating plate-like members 28 and 29, Another object of my invention is to provide, in is disposed on the top of the valve body 23. A' a systemiof the above character, a bleeder sysrelatively large circular diaphragm 3I is clamped 45 tem in which gas or other fuel is burned only between the two members of the diaphragm houswhen the heater is not in operation., l l ing as by means of bolts 30 and, since the dia- Still another object of my invention is to prophragm is gastight two chambers 32 and 33 are Y vide a device of the above character which is formed, one on eachk side of the diaphragm. A simple, reliable and effective,land which is inexconduit 34 connects the inlet chamber I6 of the 50 pensive to manufacture, install and maintain. valve body 23 with the chamber 32 in the dia- Other and further features and objects of the phragm housing. I i o invention willv be more apparent to those skilled' A valve stem 36 is connected at its upper end v in the ar't- ,upon a consideration of ,the accom- `to the diaphragm 3| `and at its lower end to the panying drawing and the following specification, valve 26 so that verticalv movement of the dia- -55 phragm results in opening and closing of the valve 23. A spring 31 is provided within the valve body 23 and the spring bears against the upper portion of the valve body and against the valve 23 to normally maintain the valve in closed position. 'Ihe diaphragm 3I is sumciently large, however, that the gas pressure in chamber 32 of gas from the manifold I 8 is sumcient to move the diaphragm upwardly to raise the valve 26 from its seat providing, of course, that the pressure within the chamber 33 is substantially at atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm valve itself constitutes no part of niv presentinvention except in its connection with the system as a whole and therefore need not be further described at this time..

A conduit 4I leads from the manifold I8 to the bleeder valves 40 and 40a and to the pilot burners I3 and l3nt The pilot burner is comprised of a head 42 having a pair of vertically extending bores or channels 43 and 44 therein. `Thebore 44 is open to the atmosphere at its upper end and extends laterally to make connection with the bore 43. A vertically extending conduit 46 is connected by means of the bleeder valve body 41 with' the conduit 4I, and gas from the manifold' I8 'and the conduits -4I and 46 is admitted to the chamber within the pilot head formed by channels 43 and 44, through a jet 48 which is connected to the upper end of the conduit 46 by' means of` a spud 4.8. yThe pilot head 42 rests on a reduced portion of the spud. The channel 43 is provided with a Venturi bushing I so that gas issuing from the jet 48 passes through the Venturi bushing and carries air from the channel 44 with it.

The mixture of gas and air in the channel 43 is burned after it has passed out through suitable ports in the burner 52, to form a flamev 53 lwhich is suitable for ignition purposes. A hemispherical shield 54 is'fastened on the end of the burner 52 in order to protect the flame from air currents and the like. A suitable opening is provided in the upper part of the shield 54 to` permit the flame 63 to reach the thermostatic element 66. 'I'he thermostatic element 56 is preferably of U-shape with one arm secured to the top of the pilot head 42 as by means of a bolt 51 and with the other secured to a strip 58 as by means of rivets 59. An adjusting screw 6I is threaded into the end of the strip and may be locked with respect thereto by means of the nut 62.

A conduit 63 leads from the pilot burner supply conduit 4I to a temperature limit control device 84. The temperature limit control device may be of any desired construction but in the embodiment of the invention showny is comprised of a housing 86 in which a valve (not shown) is located, and a pair of rods 81 and 68 of different coefilcients of expansion mounted on the housing, and` engaged to the housing and the valve in the housing in such a manner that the valve is maintained in a closed condition until a certain preselected temperature is reached. The temperature limit control 64 is preferably placed above the heater or adjacent thereto or in a room heated bythe heater so that it may be used to regulate the temperature of the room or other enclosed space. When `the valve within the housing 68 is opened gas may fiow from the conduit 63 into the conduit 68 and into the chamber 33 of the diaphragmk valve by means of the conduit 1 I.

The valve housing 48 isv preferably located below the pilot head 42 and is preferably provided with two vertically extending channels 12 and 13 and a laterally extending connecting channel `14.

'I'he conduit 4I is threaded into the valve body 41 to communicate with the channel 12 and the transverse channel 14. 'I'he conduit 46 is threaded into the valve body 41 at a position opposite to the conduit 4I and also communicates with the channels 12 and 14. An elongated bushing 18 is threaded into the uppermost portion of the valve body 41 in the channel 13, in side by side relation with the conduit 46, and into the bottom part oi' the pilot head 42. The bushing 16 not only aifords a means of holding the pilot head and valve body in spaced relation, but also furnishes a channel in which the push rod 11 is located. 'I'he push rod 11 passes through the bushing 16 and the pilot head 42 and rests against the ad- Justing screw 6I on strip 68. A bushing 18 is located within the valve body 41 in the channel 13. 'Ihe bushing not only aiiords a guide for a valve stem 18 which is secured to the push rod 11, but also furnishes a valve seat 8| for the valve 82. The bushing 18 extends through the transverse channel 14 and'is provided with transverse openings 83 to Vprovide communication between the channel 14`and a vertically extending channel 84 in the bushing 18. 'I'he channel 13 is slightly enlarged just below the valve seat 8I to permit a free ow of gas `through the channel. A conduit 86 is threaded into the valve body 41 at a position in which it affords communication with the channel 13. The conduit 86 is connected to a conduit 81, as by means of the fitting 88, and the conduit 81 to the conduit 1| to form a channel leading into the upper diaphragm-valve chamber 33.

It may readily be understood that, on opening valve I4, gas from the manifold II) passes through the conduit 4I and into the chamber 14 in the valve body 41. A portion of the gas in the chamber 14 passes through the conduit 48, through the jet 48, and into the chamber 44 where it is mixed with air, through the Venturi bushing 5|, and out through the burner 52. The other portion of the gas in the chamber 14 passes through the openings 83 in the bushing 18, through the channel 84, through the channel 13, through the conduits 86,- 81 and 1|, and into the chamber 33, so long as the valve 82 is in its open position. The valve portion' of the rod 11 is arranged to bias the' valve 82 to a closed position as soon as the pressure imposed by the thermostatic element 56 is removed.

In operation of the heating system gas is admitted into the manifold I8 by opening the valve I4 and, since the conduit 4I is connected directly to the manifold I0, sas flows through the conduit 4I into the valve body 41, where the flow of gas is divided. A portion of the gas in the valve body 41 passes through the conduit 46 and into the pilot burner I3 where it forms the pilot flame 53. The other portion of the'gas in the valve body 41 through the channel 13 and through the conduits 86, 81 and 1 I, into the chamber 33 in the diaphragm valve during the period in which the pilot flame is not ignited, and consequently the thermostat is in` a position pressing downwardly upon the rod 11 to maintain the valve 82 in'open position. This latter system may be termed an indirect" means of supplying gas to the diaphragm valve. Since the conduit 34 of the diaphragm valve is connected to the inlet chamber I 6 and to the chamber 32 in the diaphragm valve housing I8, gas is fed directly to the chamber 32 and the pressure of gas on both sides of the dlaphragm 3| is substantially the same and the valve and permit the flow 28 does not open.- Gasfis bled slowly from the chamber 33 by means of the conduit I2. T'he gas- As soon as the thermostatic element is heated sufficiently by the' flame 53 the arms of thethermostatic element spread to permit the rod 11 to move upwardly to a sulcient extent to permit the valve 82 to be closed by the spring 88. When the valve 82 has closed the supplyV of gas leading through the conduits 86,81 and 1 I to the 'chamber 33 in the diaphragm valve is cut off and the gas already in the chamber` is bled through the conduit I2 and burned in the flame 9|. The pressure in the chamber 32 is` now greater than the pressure in' the chamber 33 and the diaphragm moves upwardly to lift port 24 into the outlet chamberv I8 andthrough the conduitIS to the valves 2| and 2|a.I which lead, respectively, to the burner II and Iig.. When either one or both ofthe valves 2| and 2 Ia are turned to the .on position gas passes through theV respective burners and is ignited by the ignition flame 53. Since gas is being bled out of the chamber 33 by means of the valve 88V and the conduit I2 and since no more gas is being supplied to the chamber the flame 8| `finallydies out.

While the above operation is going on the temperature limit valve 64 is closed, but when the temperature of the oven or other enclosed space above the heater II reaches a predetermined value the valve 64 opens, permitting gas to flow from the conduit 63 into the conduit through the conduit 1| into the chamber 33.` Since the pressure on each side of the diaphragm 3| is now equalized or substantially equalized,the diaphragm moves downwardly` and the valve 26 closes to prevent the flow of gas into-the brners Il and Ila. When the temperature of th oven decreases to a' suiiicient extent the temperature limit valve 64 closes, the gas within the chamber 33 is bled off through they conduit I2 and the valve [26 is again opened to permit the flow of fuel to the burner II and IIa. The gas flowing from the burners is ignited by the pilot flame 53 and heating of the oven or other enclosed 'space is continued.' If the pilot flame 53 should become extinguished the thermostatic element 56 cools and drives the rod 11 downwardly to open the valve 82 and permit conduits 81 and 1| into the chamber v33, thus equalizing the pressure on both sidesof the diaphragm and permitting the valve 26 to close under the influence of the spring 31 to prevent t-he flow of fuel to the heater burner.

It may readily be understood that I have provided a control system for controlling the flow of fuels which will prevent the flow of fuel to the burner or other device unless the ignition device is in operation, and that I have also provided a means of burning the vbleeder gas with the pilot gas thereby preventing the escape of unburned gas from the system.

Although I have described aA specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Such modications may be made without departneedle or throttle 33 is replaced at a ratey 69 and the flow of fuel through the ing from the spirit and scope of my invention as setforth in the appended claims.

I claim as my inventiom- 4 p l. In a fluid-fuel flow control system, a main fuel supply line including a main valve,means v for controlling the main valve by fuel pressure,

a pilot burner, ed on the pilot bleeder valve within thevvalve body, a rod for transmitting motion of the thermostatic element to the valve, a continuous open fuel supply line for conveying fuel bleeder valve body, a conduit for conducting fuel from the 'bleeder valve body to thev pilot burner and another conduit controlled' by the bleeder valve for conducting fuel to the `main .valve the valve 26 from its seat of gas through the valve control means for operating it in accordance with the movement of 2. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supe ply line, a valveffor controlling flow of -fuel to said burner, a diaphragm for actuating said valve, said diaphraghm having one side thereof connected to said fuel supply er, a conduit-connecting saidpilot burner to said supplyv line, a second conduit connecting said other side of said`diaphragm valve to said first conduit, a valve between said conduits, and thermally controlled means connected to said valve and responsive to said pilot burner for controlling flowV of `fuel from said supply pipe through said conduits to said other side of said diaphragm valve.

3. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line, a diaphragm valve'for controlling .flow of fuel to said burner, the diaphragm of-said valve having one side thereof subject to the pressure in said fuel supply line, a conduit connecting the other side of said diaphragm .to said supply line, valve means in said Aconduit for controlling iiow of fuel to said other side of valve body, a conduit for conducting fuel tol said valve body, a second conduit leading from said valve body to the other side of saidy diaphragm valve for normally maintaining continuous flow of fuel to-said other side of said diaphragm,` a pilot burner also receiving fuel from said first conduit, a bleeder valve infsaid the thermostatic element. Y

line, a pilot burna thermostatic element mounti burnenableeder valve body, a.`

from the main line to the valve body between said conduits for shutting off ilowof fuel through said second conduit when saidkburner is ignited, and exhausting means leading `from said diaphragm valve to a. point adjacent said pilot burner for burning the fuel exhausted fromy said valve. f

5. In combination, a main burner, a pilot burner for said main burner, a fuel supply line, a conduit leading from said line to said "pilot burner, a diaphragm valve in said supply'line posterior to said Lconduit and having chambers on opposite sides of the diaphragm of said valve, one of said chambers being in constant communication with said supply line, a conduit leading from said pilot burner to the other chamber, a valve in said conduit, means responsive to operation of said pilot burner for maintaining said valve closed during operation of said pilot burner to prevent flow -through said conduit, and metered means for exhausting said other chamber to provide for opening of said diaphragm valve when said pilot burner is in operation.

6. In combination, a main burner, a pilot 'burner for said main burner, a fuel supply line,

a first conduit leading from said line to said pilot burner, a diaphragm valve in saidv supply line posterior to said conduit and having chambers on opposite sides of the diaphragm of said valve, one-of said chambers being in constant communication with said supply line, a second conduit leading from said pilot burner to said other chamber, a valve in said second conduit, means responsive to operation of said pilot burner for maintaining said valve closed during operation of said pilot burner to prevent fiow through said second conduit, metered means for exhausting said other chamber to provide for opening said diaphragm valve when said pilot burner is in operation, and a temperature limiting control for admitting fuel from said first conduit into said other chamber irrespective of said pilot burner valve when a predetermined temperature has been attained.

7. In combination, a fuel supply line, a main burner, a valve therebetween having inlet and outlet chambers, means for actuating said valve including a diaphragm subjected on one side to the fuel pressure in said inlet chamber, a

valve housing, a pilot burner adjacent said main burner and connected to said housing, a conduit leading from said inlet chamber to said housing and therethrough'to said pilot burner, a second conduit leading from said housing to the other side of said diaphragm, and thermally sensitive means responsive to the operation of said pilot burner for controlling the flow of fuel through said second conduit to said other side I of said diaphragm.

8.-In combination, a fuel supply line, a burner, a valve housing in said line and a valve therein controlling fuel flow to said burner, a first conduit leading from the inlet side of said valve housing to a point adjacent said burner, a second conduit leading from said point to a control means for said valve, `valve means controlling the flow of fuel from said first conduit through said second conduit, a pilot burner connected to said rst` conduit anterior to said valve means, and thermally sensitive means supported by said pilot burner and operable only in response to operation of said pilot burner to actuate said valve means.

9. The combination with a heating system including a burner, a fuel supply line therefor, and a diaphragm valve for controlling flow of fuel to said burner, of means for maintaining a pilot flame including a pilot burner head having an air inlet and a fuel inlet, a connection from said fuel inlet to the inlet side of said diaphragm valve including a valve housing, a conduit extending from said housing to the opposite side of said diaphragm valve, valve means in said housing providing for passage of fuel from said pilot burner connection into said conduit, and thermally sensitive means carried byg-said burner head and responsive to said pilot lfilamefor controlling said valve means.

10. The combination with a heating system including a burner, a fuel supply line therefor, and a diaphragm valve for controlling flow of vfuel to said burner, of means for maintaina pair of conduits leading to said head, said conduits being connected to opposite sides of the diaphragm of said valve,V a chamber providing communication between said conduits, valve means ink said chamber, means extending from the inlet side of saidl valve means for conducting fuel to a pilot burner tip, and thermally sensitive means mounted on said head and operable to control said valve means in response to said pilot flame.

il. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line therefor, a diaphragm valve in said line, control means therefor, a pilot burner head for maintaining a pilot name, a continuously open conduit connected to said line anterior to said valve and'supplying fuel to said burner head, a by-pass in said conduit, a second conduit connecting said by-pass to said control means, and thermally sensitive means for controlling said by-pass 12. In a heating device, a diaphragm valve having two chambers, a fuel supply directly connected to one of said chambers, means for exhausting fuel from the other of said chambers of said valve to cause the valve to open, means for supplyingv fuel to `said other chamber in quantities greater than said fuel is exhausted by said exhausting means, means for cutting off said supply of fuel to said other chamber, and means including a Athermostatic element, a pilot burner for heating said element, and valve means directly connected to said thermostatic element for operating the means for cutting ofi' of the supply of fuel to said other chamber.

13. In a heating device, a heater burner, a fuel supply means, a pilot burner, a bleeder valve associated with said pilot burner, a diaphragm valve for controlling the ow of fuel to the heater burner, one chamber of the diaphragm valve being connected directly to the fuel supply means, and the other chamber of said diaphragm valve being connected indirectly to the fuel supply means through the bleeder valve, and thermally sensitive means mounted above said pilot burner and responsive to the flame thereof for controlling the bleeder valve to effect control of said diaphragm valve.

14k.V In a heating device, a diaphragm valve, means for supplying fuel directly to one side of 4the diaphragm valve, and a plurality of means for supplyingv fuel indirectly to the other side of the diaphragm valve to control it, one of said plurality of means including a valve, means for maintaining a pilot flame above said valve, and a thermostat disposed above said flame and having motion transmitting means connected to said valve for operating the valve, another of said plurality of means including a temperature limit control valve, and means for slowly exhausting the fuel which has been indirectly supplied to said diaphragm valve at a constant rate.

15. In a heating device, a diaphragm valve, means for supplying fuel directly to one side of the diaphragm valve, and a plurality of means for supplying fuel indirectly to the other side of the diaphragm valve to control it, one of which means includes a pilot burner, a conduit connected directly between said burner and said first named fuel supply means, a thermostat responsive to said burner, and a valve connected to said thermostat and adapted to be closed when the temperature of the thermostat rises to a predetermined value, and another of said means including a temperature limit controlvalve adapted to open when the temperature of the heated space rises to a predetermined value.

16. In a heating device, a combined ignition device and fuel ow device comprising a pilot burner, a thermostatic element adjacent the pilot burner, a valve for by-passing some of the fuel from the pilot burner supplyto a pressure actuated fuel supply valve, and means for operating the valve directly connected to said thermostatic element.

17. In a fuel flow control system, a fuel supply line,`a main control valve means in said line, a pilot burner for maintaining a pilot flame, a

' thermostatic element mounted on said burner and responsive to said flame, a bleeder valve body, means connected directly-to said fuel supply line for introducing fuel into the bleeder valve body and from the valve body to said pilot burner, a conduit for conveyingfuel from the valve body to the main valve control means, a valve in the conduit for controlling flow of fuel therethrough, and means for conveying the motion of the thermostatic element to said valve, said thermostatic element, conveying means and said valve being arranged to bias said valve normally to open position.

18. In an appliance of the character described,

the combination of a main burner, a gas supply line, a diaphragm to control the supply of fuel from said line to said burner, automatically operating means for controlling the pressure of fluid onv one side of said diaphragm valve, a pilot burner and adapted to out off flow of fluid to said one side of said diaphragm valve for opening said valve. j

19. In an' appliance of the character described. the combination of a main burner, a gas supply line, a diaphragm valve controlling the supply of fuel from saidy supply line to said burner, automatically operating means for controlling the pressure on one side of said valve, said means comprising a pilot burner connected to and disposed between said gas supply line, and a conduit connected directly to one side of said valve, thermostatically controlled means actuated by said pilot burner for cutting ofi ow of fuel to said one side of said diaphragm valve for opening said valve, and a temperature limit control connected to said supply line for increasing the pressure at one side of said diaphragm valve for closing said valve.

yHAROLD A. MANTZ. 

